Film noir is often told in flashbacks, using the voice-over of the hero
to tell how he knew things were not going as planned, but how he went on
with it anyway. Often the men think they are in charge of the situation, but
those shadows and weird camera angles are there for a reason: nothing is as
it seems. Strong women and always twisting and turning plots, sometimes
making little sense, are a must too. 'Murder, My Sweet' is a great example
of the genre.

Based on the novel by Raymond Chandler, it shows a story
about private detective Philip Marlowe. This time he is played by Dick
Powell. (Bogey played him in the great 'The
Big Sleep', Robert Mitchum more than once after that.) Although this choice does not seem logical, he brings a lot
of
flair to the part. He seems constantly loose and relaxed, delivering his
dialogue funny. His voice over does the same things, especially when it
comes to sarcastic and cynical remarks. Just to name one: "I felt pretty
good... like an amputated leg."

Early on we meet Moose Malloy (Mike
Mazurki), hiring Marlowe to find Velma, a girl gone for six years. He takes
the job. Another job enters his life when people are looking for a jade
necklace. Pretty soon both stories deal with some of the same group of
people, probably meaning they are linked. Why else would they be in the same
novel and film? For the necklace Marlowe is hired by the Mr. Grayle (Miles
Mander), his wife Helen (Claire Trevor) and (just) his daughter Ann (Anne
Shirley). Among others, family friend Jules Amthor (Otto Kruger) seems to be
the villain.

The comments about the great film noirs look a lot like each
other. The dark visual style fits the dark mystery unfolding before our
eyes. The femme fatale, pulling the strings without the men around her
understanding it, plays a major part and even though she never seems what
she claims, the audience never can be sure about her motives. Love is there,
but is it real, and if so, by whom? 'Murder, My Sweet' brings up these
questions, creating tension, and keeps it that way the entire time; there is
no dull moment in this film.